Lord Chancellor
Lords take evidence on office of Lord Chancellor
14 July 2014
On Wednesday 16 July the House of Lords Constitution Committee takes evidence on the office of Lord Chancellor from academics Graham Gee, Professor Andrew Le Sueur and Dr Patrick O'Brien. The three academics specialise in legal and constitutional affairs.
- Parliament TV: Office of Lord Chancellor inquiry
- Inquiry: Office of Lord Chancellor
- Select Committee on the Constitution
Witnesses
Wednesday 16 July at 10:40am, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster:
- Graham Gee, Lecturer, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham
- Professor Andrew Le Sueur, Professor of Constitutional Justice, University of Essex
- Dr Patrick O'Brien, Research Associate, Constitution Unit, University College London
Possible questions
The Committee will ask the witnesses about a range of issues, including:
- What are the current functions of the Lord Chancellor as distinct from the Secretary of State for Justice?
- How does the Lord Chancellor uphold the rule of law and judicial independence and is there anything more he could do in that respect?
- Should the Lord Chancellor be seen as the guardian of legal and constitutional values in government?
- Should the offices of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice be held by the same person?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the office of Lord Chancellor being held by a lawyer?
- Should there continue to be a Lord Chancellor?